Eight thermal units have been shut down in Punjab as power demand dipped drastically following heavy rains in the state.

THE POWER demand dipped by about 500 lakh units and Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd. was forced to close down its 5 thermal units of 210 MW each at Ropar thermal plant, two 210 MW units at Lehra Mohabatt thermal plant and one 110 MW unit at Bhatinda. The power demand in the state which was around 1700 lakh units last week has dipped to 1180 lakh units.

PSPCL has made elaborate power purchase arrangements for paddy season. These included long-term and short-term power purchases. After recent grid failures, NRLDC forced state constituents not to resort to power overdrawing. States were asked to go for power purchases from market instead of power overdrawing.

PSPCL is making total power purchase of about 670 lakh units which includes short-term purchases of about 340 lakh units. Punjab is drawing about 900 lakh units from the grid against scheduled drawing of 940 lakh units. As the power demand in state is less than 1200 lakh units, only one thermal unit each at Ropar and Bhatinda are operating. At Lehra Mohabatt unit 3 & 4 are operating at back down with load of 180 MW each.

The late revival of monsoon has also benefitted BBMB where water level has improved as compared to level at start of season. Normally monsoon starts withdrawing in first week of September but this year it is still raining at the end of filling season. The filling season is counted up to September 20.

The water level in Bhakra and Pong reservoirs was less this year by 60 feet from the water level on corresponding day last year. BBMB had put restrictions on water supply following weak monsoon and thus power generation was also restricted. Punjab is getting 140 lakh units daily while it was getting 211 lakh units.

Today water level in Pong has improved very much and water level is 1378 feet as compared to last year’s level of 1390 feet on corresponding day. At Bhakra, water level is 1651 feet and it was 1681 feet on corresponding day last year. At Ranjit Sagar, water level is 517 feet and last year it was 525 meters.